Hounslow Business Task Force - Free Webinars:

Hounslow Chamber has been supporting Hounslow businesses since 1909. We are hosting our next Business Task Force webinar on Thursday, 30 th April at 10:00 am, in conjunction with Chiswickbuzz , in our continuing commitment to our businesses across the borough and wider community.

Our expert panel is here to give you that advice and help.
DAILY BUSINESS BRIEFING FROM GOVERNMENT'S COVID-19 PRESS CONFERENCE (courtesy of White Label)

Coronavirus tests are now available to essential workers, the government has announced at today’s COVID-19 press conference.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who led today’s Downing Street briefing, said the tests, which can be accessed by both employers and employees, were ‘all part of getting Britain back on her feet’. The government has increased testing capacity to 51,000 tests a day and said a ‘rigorous programme’ of ‘test, track and trace’ would be used to measure the rate of new infections, which need to be lowered before lockdown measures can be eased. People living in the households of essential workers will also be able to get a test if required.


RESOURCES TO SUPPORT YOUR BUSINESS DURING COVID-19 DISRUPTION

We’ve put together this list of additional resources to help businesses, employees and the self-employed affected by coronavirus (COVID-19).

You can go here to find out all the latest information about what funding and support is available for your business, managing your business during coronavirus and business closures. There is also a new ‘support finder’ tool to help businesses easily determine what financial support is available to them during the coronavirus pandemic through a quick and simple online questionnaire. You can find out more about the tool here.

HMRC have online help set up to help businesses and self-employed people concerned about not being able to pay their tax due to coronavirus.

The best way to get help from HMRC on any topic is to contact them online. Alternatively, you can call them on 0800 0159 559.

Government departments are hosting a series of webinars to help businesses understand the support available:

If your business needs more workers as a result of COVID-19, such as those in food logistics, preparation and retail, post vacancies on Find a Job.
The FSB has now launched a new FSB COVID-19 Survey to garner evidence into how UK small businesses are being impacted by the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.
This survey is open to all small businesses and the self-employed.  This is so we get as large and diverse a sample as possible – truly reflective of the UK’s small businesses.
This COVID-19 survey is an opportunity to have your voice heard as we continue to provide robust evidence to Government, highlighting the breadth and range of problems faced by small firms, and seek solutions.
The survey should only take around 12-15 minutes to complete. Thank you.
 
The VAT deadline date of 7 May fast approaching, we wanted to send a reminder of the process for those who wish to utilise the VAT payment deferral announced by the Chancellor in March 2020. There's no need to apply for a deferral  BUT:
You are still required to file a return through the normal route, including MTD if applicable.
Direct Debit payers will need to cancel their direct debit with their banks. If they don’t HMRC will request payment.  There is no automatic deferral of Direct Debit payment.

If you choose to defer your VAT payment for Q.E March 2020, you must pay the VAT due on or before 31 March 2021.
Be prepared to be back in business – advice from Interchange Solutions  Click here
Social Distancing & Hygiene signage from chamber member KallKwik
Please click here.
Good News:
Hounslow Chamber of Commerce is the primary support, networking, and representation organisation in west London for SMEs.

We support the interests, the commercial aspirations and the investment for some 18,000 firms - from Chiswick to Feltham, Heathrow to Osterley and Brentford to Bedfont - the Chamber is the voice for all businesses located in the borough.